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INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Product description

Use public spaces such as pools, terraces or bars whatever the weather – panoramic retractable glass roofs offer a great solution here.

The spaces can always be used efficiently – sudden changes in weather when traveling in sun-drenched regions are not a problem. The fun continues in the pool, even in the rain. When traveling in remote northern areas with the corresponding temperatures, it is possible to comfortable enjoy a few warm sunbeams with the roof open.

By taking the appropriate glass properties into account in the roof system, extreme heat build-up can be prevented while the roof is closed without reducing the amount of light which is let in.

The controls

The individual roof sections are electronically operated for opening and closing the roof. When closed, inflatable seals ensure that drafts and rains are kept outside, while a comfortable atmosphere prevails inside. The roof is controlled at the press of a button or automatically using sensors. The air conditioning and ventilation system is integrated into the controls.

The roof can be selectively moved using maintenance and emergency programs, or can even be moved and closed mechanically in the event of a power failure.

Learn also about our new development:
Panoramic retractable glass roof made from composite material

Sliding roof composite material

light weight solution

NEW: Glass sliding roof made of composite material

High return thanks to a significant weight saving
Optical lightness
Light plastic construction
Easy maintenance
No corrosion and lower material fatigue
Architectural benefits owing to a more pleasing design
Self-supporting structure

Video-Clip

Learn more about the function of the retractable glass roof by watching this video!

This new development means effective weight saving, durability, easy maintenance, transparency and innovative design in a new, movable pool roof.
The intelligent and architecturally attractive plastic design facilitates a multitude of practical benefits for passengers, shipping companies and shipyards.

Product description

The retractable roof is placed on the top deck of a passenger ship in order to make an area, for example the pool are, usable in almost any weather conditions. Typically, the roof is made up of various panels. The central panel is motorized and moves along sliding rails in the direction of travel for the ship. The end panels can be movable or fixed (depending on the model). In order to save space on deck, the panels can be slid underneath and between each other. The typical structure of a panel is a self-supporting grill made from GRP. The weight factor has a significant effect on the total weight of the ship, and an even greater effect on the stability calculation since the roof is generally positioned high above the waterline.

Concept

Taking the main functional requirements for a retractable glass roof (weight, easy maintenance, overall architectural appearance) into account, Brombach + Gess has developed a new and innovative lightweight construction in composite material for a retractable glass roof.

This self-supporting composite design is a modern and beneficial alternative to designs supported on a supporting structure, for example in weight reduction: in comparison with an aluminum roof, a 43% weight saving can be achieved here. This means a net reduction of 20.1 tonnes in the total weight. The total weight saved allows for more lavish fitting out of the ship and increases the possible returns. The weight saved allows for the incorporation of an additional 5-6 standard cabins.

The composite materials offer additional benefits because they are not vulnerable to corrosion and have better resistance to fatigue.
Thanks to the new design, the new glass area is increased by 18% and results in a lighter and more aesthetically pleasing structure. The modern grill-type supporting structure with modern semicircular design and the simple modular construction provide additional benefits.
For an architect’s point of view, in an ideal world, the supporting structure for a design should be invisible. While this is still not entirely possible, the new composite sliding roof from Brombach + Gess comes very close to this ideal.

Reference Examples

The brandnew P&O Arvia is equipped by an impressive Glass Dome above the Panorama Deck 18.

This Sky Dome maximize time in the caribbean sunshine, the Arvia will visit. By day the roof covers a relaxed pool area with entertainment including live music and spectacular shows by night.

The marine glazing specialist Brombach + Gess developed and delivered the retractable glass roof which consists of two sliding elements and a fore and an aft non-movable part.

With an overall length of 43m, a width of 34m and a height above the baseline of 62m, the roof adorns the Arvia as an impressive highlight.

The roof structure is a grid construction with arches from starboard to portside and longitudinal beams made of welded rectangular hollow profiles.

The material of the roof structure is made of steel. The total weight of the roof has about 156 tonnes.

In order to keep the temperatures under the roof at a moderate level, the roof is equipped with high durable solar control laminated safety glass. The glasses are glued direct on the steel structure, with sealing between the glass panes. Thus the surface of the roof is flat with no upstands that could accumulate residues.This makes it easy to clean the roof.

The opening and closing process of the roof is driven by motorized electrically worm gears and chains. The running speed is 1m/min. This allows an opening and closing time of the roof within 10 minutes.

The two movable roof parts are connected with chains to two electonically synchonized geared motors. The gears are self locking, so that the movable parts can be stopped and hold safely in each position.

Pneumatic inflatable gaskets between the non-movable and the movable sections ensure that the entire roof is sealed in the closed position. The actuation is part of the automatic opening and closing procedure.

Brombach + Gess designed and installed a retractable roof on the Europa II which covers the entire width of the deck with across a span of 22 m and a length of 35 m.

The entire retractable roof is segmented into 6 elements – two fixed areas in the fore and aft sections and four movable elements which can be retracted over the fixed elements.

The objective in the planning for the roof was to develop the lightest and most streamlined structure possible without additional braces and supports. The entire frame structure was made from aluminum, allowing for a weight reduction of 20 t in comparison with a steel structure. The glass in the roof is a laminated solar-filtered glass which keeps to temperatures under the roof at a moderate level. The glass is bonded flat to the aluminum structure. As a result, stress peaks on the glass, caused by the relatively soft aluminum structure, are avoided.

The roof can be stopped in any desired intermediate position. The roof segments are permanently connected by a toothed belt via a self-locking transmission.

The travel speed is 6 m/min. This allows the roof to be opened and closed within 2 minutes. The roof is remotely controlled. A screen shows all of the operating states and the position of the roof. An additional emergency control panel is located in the wheelhouse.